Ten Hag is expected to be sacked regardless of the outcome of the FA Cup final at Wembley, after a difficult season that even he himself has described as “horrible”. But the United board may have to reconsider after Ten Hag’s tactical mastery ruined Man City’s historic run.
Coach Ten Hag (center) hopes to keep his job after the FA Cup final win over Man City
Having won the Premier League, City were favourites to win the double this season, including a second successive FA Cup triumph. However, Ten Hag found a way to nullify Pep Guardiola's side as first-half goals from Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo secured the Red Devils' first FA Cup in eight years.
After capping a turbulent season with FA Cup success, if Ten Hag's two-year reign ends, his departure will stir memories of former Dutchman Louis van Gaal's departure at Old Trafford. Van Gaal was sacked just two days after the FA Cup final win over Crystal Palace in 2016.
MU had an important victory to save a disappointing season.
Ten Hag will be hoping for comparisons to legendary manager Alex Ferguson's 1990 FA Cup triumph over Crystal Palace, which kicked off the Scot's subsequent run of success after calls for his sacking earlier that season.
Ferguson was present for the FA Cup final, which was billed as Ten Hag's farewell, to see United win. British billionaire Jim Ratcliffe, who controls football operations at Old Trafford, was also watching from the stands along with co-owners Joel and Avie Glazer.
Coach Ten Hag helped MU win 2 titles in 2 seasons in charge
Linked with Thomas Tuchel, Mauricio Pochettino and Gareth Southgate, among others, as Ten Hag's replacement, there is still plenty for Ratcliffe to ponder after United finished eighth in the Premier League this season - their lowest position since 1990 - and were knocked out of the Champions League group stage.
Ten Hag believes the long injury list is at the root of the problem and can look to the two trophies he has won in three cup finals as evidence of what he can do to revive the team in the coming period.
The 54-year-old ended United's six-year trophy drought by winning the League Cup last year and has now avenged their 2-1 FA Cup final defeat to Man City 12 months ago despite finishing 31 points behind the champions in the Premier League this season.
Coach Guardiola (right) cannot continue to make history with Man City
By winning the FA Cup, MU secured a ticket to the Europa League, avoiding the first season without participating in European Cups since the 2014-2015 season. They benefited from Man City's unusually dismal performance in this FA Cup final.
Last weekend, Man City became the first team to win the Premier League for a fourth consecutive season. But Guardiola's side looked unfocused and lacking in sharpness after celebrating their sixth English title in seven years.
In the final seconds of the FA Cup final, coach Ten Hag stood nervously in the sun waiting to celebrate a dramatic victory that could have temporarily halted his possible sudden "execution" from the MU leadership chair.
Source: https://thanhnien.vn/hlv-ten-hag-co-the-giu-duoc-ghe-khi-mu-ha-man-city-vo-dich-cup-fa-185240525233940279.htm
Comment (0)